Supernumerary teeth: review of the literature and a survey of 152 cases

Int J Paediatr Dent. 2002 Jul;12(4):244-54. doi: 10.1046/j.1365-263x.2002.00366.x.

Abstract

Introduction: A review of the literature relating to supernumerary teeth is presented along with a survey of 152 cases.

Methods: The study population consisted of 152 children who visited the department of Paediatric Dentistry at the Jordan University Hospital. Patients ranged in age from 5 to 15 years. Supernumeraries were detected by clinical examination and radiographs.

Results: Males were affected more than females with a sex ratio of 2.2 : 1. Seventy-seven percent of the patients had one supernumerary tooth, 18.4% had double teeth, and 4.6% had three or more supernumeraries. Ninety percent of the supernumerary teeth occurred in the premaxilla, of which 92.8% were in the central incisor region and of these latter 25% were located in the midline. The other 10.4% of the supernumeraries were located in the premolar, canine, molar, and lower central incisor regions. Two cases were of non-syndrome supernumerary teeth. Seventy-five percent of the supernumeraries were conical, 83.1% were in the normal vertical position and 26.5% were erupted. Conical-shaped supernumerary teeth had a significantly higher rate of eruption compared to the tuberculate type.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Female
  • Fused Teeth / complications
  • Humans
  • Incisor / abnormalities
  • Jordan
  • Male
  • Maxilla / abnormalities
  • Radiography
  • Sex Ratio
  • Tooth, Supernumerary* / classification
  • Tooth, Supernumerary* / complications
  • Tooth, Supernumerary* / diagnostic imaging
  • Tooth, Supernumerary* / pathology